Reflecting over the past few weeks of March, we have been focusing greatly on the role of women in society – International Women’s Day, celebrating one of the first women writers of the 17th century, Aphra Behn in Canterbury, and honouring our own religious women including our former Superiors, in Hasting’s cemetery with a new Memorial stone. Plus the many ...

The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions joyfully share with you a reflection on the  theme of our forthcoming  29th Congregational Chapter in 2026.  United with Pope Francis during this Jubilee Year We see ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope in our world. For over 164 years, we have walked in the footsteps of our Foundress, Euphrasie Barbier. We treasure ...

Hope is not mere optimism, or simply wishful thinking, Not a fervent plea to keep one’s faith from sinking. Hope is based on promises already pledged and given, That we are loved by God and sins have been forgiven. There’s nothing to be feared, we are joyfully accepted, The heaven for which we hope, is rightfully expected. Salvation has been ...

 As our world faces another year, we still are aware of the negative aspects that so many people are daily continuing to deal with: racism, terrorism and more so, of brutality and violence. Like us RNDMs, I’m sure that your Christmas Prayer was for world peace – even in this Holy Year, the cry goes forth for HOPE. The Holy ...

What we call the beginning is often the end And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. (Little Gidding – TS Eliot)   As we reflect on endings, we are often reminded of the beginning of something new and life giving.  What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, someone ...

 “Death is neither to be sought nor resisted. It is only to be accepted as the exclamation point of life. “Do not seek death,” Dag Hammarskjold wrote, “but seek the road which makes death a fulfilment.” A Month of Memories. Joan Chittister, 2009. Benetvision. This year as we have been surrounded with daily accounts from media news of death and ...

As autumn fast approaches, we do not fail to notice around us how nature is changing; giving up its treasure of leaves and once blooming flowers ceasing to produce such colourful carpets of gold and sparking gems in various shapes and sizes.  But it is time! Everything has to undergo change. “There is a given time for everything and time ...

I remember the song – “All things bright and beautiful . . . the good God made them All.” Every month some calendars attributes a special place for God’s Beauty and Grandeur. So does the month of September. I am always struck with the colours of autumn; coincidently, I was reading an article in the Jesuits spirituality magazine (Thinking Faith, ...

Recently, the people throughout the UK, Ireland and across the world have been shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely death of Dr Michael Mosley, a well-known author, broadcaster on TV and Radio. When asked why we are so sad, it is because he entered into the lives of so many people with his general health, diet, medical and ...

After a morning’s shopping, I went home on the bus. At one of the stops, an elderly lady got on and since there was a vacant seat beside me, I gestured to her to sit there. On leaving her burden down, she gave a great sigh as she eased her body on the seat. “Isn’t it a beautiful day!” she ...